Bellinger slated for eye evaluation
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Daniel Bellinger left the visitors’ locker room at TIAA Bank Field with an ice bag pressed to the left side of his face. His left eye was completely swollen shut after a tough-to-see injury in the second quarter that knocked the rookie tight end out for the remainder of what turned into a 23-17 Giants’ victory over the Jaguars on Sunday.
“He got poked in the eye and I would say his eye looks terrible right now,’’ coach Brian Daboll said. “He looked like he took a pretty good hook shot there. It’s pretty swollen.’’
Bellinger went down late in the second quarter after a 14-yard reception when he was inadvertently poked in the eye through his facemask on the tackle by cornerback Tre Herndon. Bellinger needed to be carted off, with blood on his white jersey, and was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. He was released and traveled back with the team. He will see an ophthalmologist on Monday. ➤ Daniel Jones is the first Giants quarterback to rush for 100 yards in a long time — since Frank Filchock did it in 1946, according to Elias Sports Bureau.
➤ Rookie OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux did snow angels on the field at the end of the game and was feisty in the locker room when asked about the rest of the NFL not giving the Giants at 6-1 the proper amount of respect.
“I don’t care what people around the league do,’’ Thibodeaux said. “F--- ’em. The only people that matter are in this room.’’
➤ CB was evaluated for a concussion but was able to finish the game.
Adoree’ Jackson
➤ The Giants won their first game in Jacksonville, where they had been 0-3.
➤ Before Sunday, the last time Landon Collins wore a Giants uniform was Week 13 of the 2018 season. The Giants beat the Bears in overtime but Collins went down with a partially torn rotator cuff and was placed on injured reserve. Collins, elevated from the practice squad, filled the role veteran safety Tony Jefferson held for three games before he hurt his foot and went on injured reserve. Jefferson played 13, 10 and 13 snaps in his three games.
Collins made a key tackle on a screen pass to Travis Etienne early in the second quarter to limit the gain to 5 yards and force the Jaguars to settle for a field goal. ➤ Leading 17-13 early in the fourth quarter, Jaguars coach Doug Pederson decided to go for the first down on fourth-and-1 from the Giants 20-yard line. The call was a quarterback sneak with Trevor Lawrence but he was stuffed for no gain by the combination of Jaylon Smith and Julian Love. The Giants took over with 11:25 remaining and put together a 79-yard drive for the winning points.
➤ The Giants’ six inactives were five injured players — CB Cor’Dale Flott , WR Kenny Golladay, WR Kadarius Toney, OLB Oshane Ximines ,S Jason Pinnock — and one healthy scratch — LB Austin Calitro. OLB Azeez Ojulari (calf) was put on injured reserve this week, meaning he will miss the next four games.